BAFS and External Events
The British Academy of Forensic Science (BAFS) held its first meeting in 1960. BAFS is a unique organisation formed from a unique mix of forensic medicine (pathologist, psychiatrists, physicians (FMEs), scientist and lawyers. Our events are usually based in London.
Next BAFS Event
The role of plants, fungi and algae in environmental forensics
Botanists have been working on crime scenes since at least the 1920s. Today, the botanical sciences have the potential to play a key role in some criminal investigations. Advances in molecular biology, especially those relating to non-human DNA, mean that investigators should be more able to use environmental trace evidence during a investigation. However, there are still significant barriers, such as cost, to its use in court. Additionally, more ‘traditional’ approaches such as vegetation fragment identification, are still valuable tools.
Unsurprisingly, the current challenges facing the UK forensics sector are evident in environmental forensics. This talk, by forensic botanist Mark Spencer, will provide an overview of how botany can be applied in the criminal environment, explore more personal observations on the strengths and weaknesses of crime scene management and suggest some options for the future.
Regular BAFS Events
BAFS Events
Joint Events
Venue: Royal Society of Medicine, London
CPD: Accredited
The recent disasters, such as Grenfell Tower and Westminster Bridge, has highlighted how forensic science plays an important part in victim identification.
A panel of experts will examine how forensic odontology, anthropology and pathology contribute to the identification process.Learn about the psychological impact such events can have on victims, hearing more about the nature of the subsequent inquests from those supporting them.
Key topics:
- How forensic odontology contributes to disaster victim identification
- How forensic anthropology contributes to disaster victim identification
- How forensic pathology contributes to disaster victim identification
- How victims are affected by disasters
- How psychologists manage victims of disasters
BAFS Friends Dinner
External Events
Saturday 15th June 2019
Location: The Majestic Hotel, Harrogate
We welcome members, non-members and their guests to the Past President's Ball to celebrate supporting the forensic science sector for 60 years. The evening will commence with a drinks reception at 5.45pm, followed by dinner and dancing until the twilight hours.
A pre-dinner speech will be given by Clive Driscoll Retired Detective Chief Inspector Metropolitan Police Service. Clive was a Senior Investigating Officer on several high-profile cases including the Stephen Lawrence case and became the first police officer to obtain a conviction in an Honour Based Violence murder where no body has ever been found. He is also author of the book “In Pursuit of the Truth” (released in July 2016). Following dinner, guests will hear from Dr Richard Shepherd, a Retired Forensic Pathologist who was a Forensic Expert for the 9/11 and Bali bombings, the Bloody Sunday Inquiry and for the Inquest into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. He is also author of the book “Unnatural Causes” (released in September 2018).
Individual tickets are priced at: £75.00 per person (or £140 for two places) and tables of 10 at £700.00 each.
Further information:https://www.csofs.org/Events/The-Chartered-Society-of-Forensic-Sciences-Past-Presidents-Summer-Ball/60686
Previous BAFS Events
Friends Dinner 2019: How did forensic science help identify Richard III?
Speaker: Professor Sarah Hainsworth OBERSM & BAFS joint event 2018
Dr Richard Shephard, Professor Peter Vanezis, Dr Curtis Offiah, Professor Peter Gill, Mr David Heming, Detective Inspector Mark Richards and Master Evan Bell, 20/01/2018AGM & Friends Dinner 2017
James Hines QC and Dr Martin Hall, 01/11/2017Forensic Investigation in Counter Terrorism
Sharon Broome, 30/11/2016The Lund Lecture 2015
Professor Denise Syndercombe Court, 04/10/2016AGM & Friends Dinner 2016
Andrew Smith and Professor Nigel Eastman, 18/05/2016Forensic Imaging: From Plates to Pixels
Nick Marsh, 21/01/2016Investigating sudden unexpected death
Professor Richard Shepherd, Marta Cohen, Professor Robert Peckitt, Professor Mary Sheppard, Dr Safa Al-Sarraj, Professor Robert J. Flanagan, Dr Elijah Behr, Dr Jason Payne-James, Professor Robin Ferner, Dr Peter Dean, 16/01/2016Ormrod Lecture 2015
Professor Robert J. Flanagan, 22/10/2015Science and the Courts. Human Identification, Migration and Trafficking
Prof Robert J. Flanagan, HH Judge Jeremy Donne QC, Upper Tribunal Judge Mark Ockelton QC, Professor Cheryl Thomas, Mr Stuart Black, Mr Roger Baldwin, Dr Ann Priston, Mr Nick Marsh, Dr Denise Syndercombe Court, Professor Michael Kopelman, Dr Sarah Majid, Dr Sarah Chin, Dr Michael Korzinski, 28/03/2015Blood Pattern Analysis
Jo Millington, 15/01/2015The Lund Lecture 2014
Professor Bob Peckitt 23/10/2014Clozapine Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
Dr James MacCabe, Professor Robert Flanagan and Professor Christoph Hiemke 28/06/2014Fingerprints
Ken Butler, 15/05/2014Past Venues
Chapter Hall St John’s Gate
